Molino del Rey—Attack upon the Molino

Art Historical Context

Behold the dramatic hand-colored lithograph *Molino del Rey—Attack upon the Molino* (1851), created by French lithographer Adolphe-Jean-Baptiste Bayot after an original composition by German artist Carl Nebel. Measuring about 28 × 43 cm in its image area, this vivid print captures a pivotal moment in the Mexican-American War, depicting U.S. forces storming the fortified mill at Molino del Rey, just outside Mexico City. Printed on wove paper as part of a commemorative portfolio, the work draws from Nebel's on-the-scene sketches, published in his 1851 illustrated volume *The War Between the United States and Mexico*. Lithography's precision allowed Bayot to faithfully reproduce Nebel's detailed battle scenes, while meticulous hand-coloring brings the chaos of smoke, uniforms, and cannon fire to life, heightening the emotional intensity. These prints served as popular visual records, blending journalistic accuracy with romanticized heroism. Housed in the National Gallery of Art's Corcoran Collection, this piece offers a window into 19th-century military art and the era's imperial ambitions, reminding us how images shaped public memory of conflict. A testament to lithography's role in democratizing art, it invites visitors to reflect on war's human cost amid its artistic splendor.